In a bold move to curb import dependence and achieve food sovereignty, the Senegalese government has unveiled an ambitious plan to produce 1.4 million tonnes of rice locally by 2025, covering 100% of national consumption needs.
The announcement was made during a visit by the Prime Minister, Sidiki Kaba, to the Senegalese Society for Industrial Agriculture (SODAGRI) located in the Anambé basin. He stressed that rice production is now a critical national priority, aligning with President Macky Sall’s vision for food self-sufficiency.
Currently, Senegal produces just over 800,000 tonnes of rice annually, while consumption needs exceed 1.4 million tonnes, creating a significant import gap. The government aims to close this deficit by supporting mechanised farming, expanding irrigation systems, providing quality seeds, and improving post-harvest processing.
“The state will spare no effort to ensure our farmers have access to the right tools, seeds, fertilizers, and training needed to upscale rice output,” said PM Kaba. He also highlighted that rice remains a staple for millions of Senegalese households, and the country must not rely on foreign markets for such a basic need.
Experts believe this push could not only reduce food import bills but also empower rural communities through job creation and agribusiness growth. SODAGRI, the agency leading the charge, has been tasked with accelerating the development of high-yield varieties and promoting youth participation in rice farming.
Agricultural unions and stakeholders have hailed the government’s renewed focus, calling for transparent fund allocation and stronger public-private partnerships to drive the initiative.
However, analysts warn that infrastructural and logistic challenges must be addressed to avoid bottlenecks in achieving the set target.
